Piedra Blanca

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 6:31 pm

Not really sure if this TR should go here or in the new sub-forum, but whatever.

Made a run to Piedra Blanca in the Los Padres today to play in the rocks. Another gorgeous day in the backcountry, but the lack of rain is evident. When's it gonna start dumping for God's sake? The Sespe is freakin' dust dry, but Piedra Blanca Creek is flowing nicely. Must be spring fed. Lots of folks out which surprised me.

Some pics.

Piedra Blanca from Rose Valley Road

The Sespe

Trail Signage-Gene Marshall NRT

Piedra Blanca

Piedra Blanca II

Piedra Blanca III

Elephant Rock

Looking East Into the Sespe Drainage

View North

Over the Shoulder View as I head North

Piedra Blance Creek

View South from Piedra Blanca Camp

Chumash Rock Art (or what's left of it)

Selfie in Piedra Blanca Creek

The End.

cougarmagic · Post by **cougarmagic** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 7:25 pm

Super cool place. I've only been there once. It's painful to see it so dry!

Great photos though and I bet you had a nice day exploring.

MattCav · Post by **MattCav** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:37 am

Nice pics, Rico. It's a fun hike all the way up to Pine Mtn Lodge and the other way to Bear Creek as well. Just don't fall off Piedra Blanca like I did a few years ago

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 10:40 am

The Sespe is dry? Say it isn't so.

HJ

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 6:20 pm

Forgot to mention for Sean and VPG. Just south of Piedra Blanca camp I met an old surfer from Ventura walking along the trail. He was wearing a pair of faded blue jeans and was bare-footed. He told me that as a surfer, he's been walking on rocks all his life so his feet are accustomed to that type of terrain. No need for hiking shoes except when the terrain gets really hairy at which point he puts on sandals. LOL. I felt over-prepared in my trail runners.

Post by **tekewin** » Tue Dec 31, 2013 9:01 am

Nice rocks, rico. Hope you got some good scrambling done.

Not sure when winter will really arrive along with precip.

repelmen · Post by **repelmen** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 12:32 pm

Ahhh the Sespe ! Come March by will will be there.

VermillionPearlGirl · Post by **VermillionPearlGirl** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:30 pm

I did this like two weeks ago when I tweaked my hamstring so I was looking for a low impact hike (this was largely a trip to Ojai for dinner, they have some good restaurants there). But super fun climbing on the rocks. The Sespe is dry dry dry dry dry. We hike out of that trailhead a lot (usually toward the hot springs) and I've never seen it that bad.

David Stillman · Post by **David Stillman** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 9:25 am

One of my favorites. -DS

RCKSIL · Post by **RCKSIL** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 6:46 pm

Very nice Rico. Looks like you had a great time!

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 6:48 pm

Thanks Rick. It's a fun place to hang for the day.